Senior Hydrogeologist Location: Kiribati

SPC is the Pacific Island region’s principal technical and scientific organisation. It delivers technical, scientific, research, policy and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories in public health, geoscience, agriculture, forestry, water resources, disaster management, fisheries, education (community, TVET, quality and standards for all school levels), statistics, transport, energy, ICT, media, human rights, gender, youth and culture. More information can be obtained on SPC’s website: www.spc.int .

 

In applying, candidates should be guided by SPC’s vision, mission and corporate values, the role and profile of the position and the key result areas and selection criteria.

 

SPC’s vision for the region is a secure and prosperous Pacific Community, whose people are educated and healthy and manage their resources in an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable way.

 

Our mission is to help Pacific Island people position themselves to respond effectively to the challenges they face and make informed decisions about their future and the future they will leave for the generations that follow.

 

Our corporate values are underpinned by the principle of ‘making a positive difference in the lives of Pacific Island people – putting people first’. They include accountability, integrity, respect, transparency, sustainability, people-centredness, gender equality and cultural sensitivity.

 

Applied Geoscience and Technology Division – The division, which was established when the former SOPAC was integrated with SPC in January 2011, has three technical work programmes: Ocean and Islands, Water and Sanitation and Disaster Reduction. Its services to SPC’s members include assessments of the potential of ocean and onshore mineral resources, maritime boundary data collection, coastal protection and management, geo-hazard assessment, water, wastewater, sanitation, disaster risk management, mapping and surveying (including GIS and remote sensing) and natural resources economics. The division’s work provides guidance on scientific and technical aspects of the region’s seabed mineral resources; supports development of national policy and regulatory frameworks; and contributes to geoscientific and geotechnical understanding of the underlying causes of environmental vulnerability in the region. Its work also focuses on developing knowledge-based adaptation strategies for coastal and nearshore environments, water and sanitation, and disaster risk reduction and awareness raising, technical capacity building and capacity supplementation. The division seeks to maintain a reputation for excellence as the region’s principal provider of geoscientific services. It has a team of around 100 including 38 internationally recruited staff and 32 technical staff.

 

Water and Sanitation Programme – SPC is the regional agency responsible for coordinating water and sanitation in the Pacific, providing support to members through capacity building, awareness and advocacy related to the management of water resources and the provision of water supply and sanitation services. Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) have uniquely fragile water services due to their small size, lack of natural storage, competing land use and vulnerability to natural hazards. Small islands that rely on groundwater or rainwater harvesting are highly vulnerable to drought. Urbanisation, growing populations, climate change and increased demand from industry and agriculture put further pressure on freshwater resources.

 

The Water and Sanitation Programme delivers services in three areas: (i) water resources management; (ii) water and sanitation services; and (iii) water governance. It coordinates its work with that of other technical programmes in SPC as well as with regional and international development partners and donors. The water resources management component provides technical support in the following areas.

 

1. Water Resources Monitoring, Assessment, Development, Management and Protection of groundwater, surface water and rainwater with emphasis on water resources management in climatic extremes: water scarcity (droughts) and overabundance (flooding).
2. Pacific Water and Climate support, which provides advice on the use of climate information and the identification of appropriate coping and adaptation strategies for climate variability and change in the water sector.

 

KIRIWATSAN Project – Compared to other PICTs, Kiribati has low coverage of improved water and sanitation facilities and has a high incidence of diarrhoeal diseases caused mainly by poor quality groundwater being used as a source of drinking water. Communities in the outer islands may rely on unsafe drinking water from open wells, unprotected rain catchments or limited piped water supplies. To address the high incidence of water-borne diseases, several initiatives are being proposed, including improved access to safe drinking water, adequate and socially acceptable sanitation facilities and the delivery of an effective campaign to increase awareness and understanding of WASH issues.

 

Funded by the European Commission, the KIRIWATSAN Project will involve up to 70 villages and 16 islands in the Outer Islands of the Republic of Kiribati. It will be jointly implemented with the Government of Kiribati's Ministry of Public Works and Utilities and UNICEF. The overall objective of the project is to reduce poverty and improve social and economic development in these outer islands by increasing access to safe and sustainable water and sanitation and reducing the prevalence of WASH related diseases. The project has three key components: (i) hydrogeological assessment and design; (ii) rainwater harvesting; and (iii) community mobilisation and capacity building. At the request of the Government of Kiribati, SPC is undertaking the first component, hydrogeological assessment and design.

 

The role – The position is accountable to the Water Resources Coordinator. Based in Tarawa, Kiribati, the role is responsible for the coordination and implementation of the hydrogeological components of the project, including responsibility for the financial management of the operational budget of around FJD 840,000; project administration; monitoring and reporting. The assessments will take place over a period of 12–18 months in the Gilbert Islands group of the Republic of Kiribati. The appointee will plan and implement all aspects of the water assessments, including training and developing a small team of i-Kiribati staff to conduct the assessments. The appointment is for 18 months.

 

The profile – SPC seeks an experienced water resources engineer, hydrologist or hydrogeologist with a track record in field programme/project management, ideally in a remote or developing country setting. Attributes will include strong analysis and technical advisory skills; knowledge and expertise in water resources assessment and monitoring; and experience in developing and managing project resources. He/she will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across SPC and with diverse regional stakeholders.

 

Key result areas – The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate strong ability and/or potential to progress in the following five key result areas:

 

1. Provide technical advice and support – Provide advice and support from across SPC to the Government of Kiribati’s Ministry of Public Works and Utilities and island councils and communities, to coordinate and implement the project; develop and deliver a monitoring and evaluation framework and sustainable and integrated approaches to water resources monitoring and assessment activities at the community level.

 

2. Project management – Ensure the project is implemented in accordance with project plans and to the satisfaction of the Water Resources Monitoring and Assessment Coordinator; work with project partners and effectively coordinate project activities and resources to ensure the project is delivered on time and on budget across the 16 islands and 70 villages, including recruiting, training and managing a local project team to complete the assessments; and develop the team to independently undertake water resources assessments to agreed project objectives. Project work will include inception report detailing; mapping available groundwater resources and optimum future locations; technical design of improved groundwater abstraction; improved appropriate rainwater harvesting; production of technical water resources assessment reports and visual summaries of the key findings and recommendations of water resource assessments for use by communities; design of field surveys and analysis and reporting of geophysical surveys used for water resources assessments; surveys of household water and sanitation supply infrastructure; and the development of fact sheets on simple improvements to wells and rainwater harvesting methods.

 

3. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting – Ensure an appropriate monitoring and evaluation framework is developed and implemented; effectively revise assessment and monitoring activities as necessary in consultation with partners; submit periodic reports in accordance with project requirements; and communicate regularly, including briefings, with communities and island councils to keep them informed and facilitate the project.

 

4. Develop and maintain relationships with clients and diverse stakeholders – Maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with staff across SPC; develop and maintain links with the Government of Kiribati, its island councils and communities, project partners, counterparts and donor agencies to ensure the timely and effective delivery of project outputs.

 

5. Capacity building – Coordinate all field activities and resources to actively develop an integrated approach to capacity building; actively promote training and development of water resources staff in hydrogeology related skills; support the development and implementation of advocacy and strategic communications to promote the application and awareness of water resources information within the project and more broadly; and develop and facilitate national training workshops and mainstreaming activities on water resources monitoring and safety planning.

 

Key selection criteria – Candidates will be assessed against the following eight criteria:

 

1. Project management – Demonstrated ability to coordinate and motivate others and lead collaborative activities in a complex regional environment.
2. Innovation and analytical skills – Able to generate new approaches; develop and support original solutions based on sound analysis.
3. Results oriented problem solver – Able to develop solutions to deliver tangible results for SPC, its members and other stakeholders.
4. Influencing and relationship building skills – Able to influence and guide others to achieve common goals; demonstrate strong communication, advocacy and interpersonal skills; contribute to building productive team relationships and partnerships across the organisation and with its stakeholders.
5. Qualifications – Honours degree in water resources engineering, hydrology, hydrogeology, earth sciences or a related field; OR postgraduate qualifications in water resources engineering, hydrology or hydrogeology.
6. Technical expertise – Demonstrated experience in: project management, ideally in remote locations; water resources assessment and monitoring, including assessment techniques in remote locations; advanced knowledge of the application, design and analysis of geophysics for groundwater assessments; knowledge of hydrologic databases and experience in the application of hydrological data to develop information products; analysis and interpretation of climate information; and report writing skills. Familiarity with the role of water and sanitation in an atoll environment, experience in the Pacific region, GIS and TIDEDA skills would be an advantage.
7. Language skills – Proficiency in English, written and oral, with a working knowledge of Gilbertese and ideally French being an advantage.
8. Cultural awareness – Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of developing countries, with experience in Pacific Island countries and territories being an advantage.

 

Remuneration – The Senior Hydrogeologist KIRIWATSAN Project is a Band 12 position in SPC’s 2012 salary scale, with a salary range (including a cost of living allowance) of 3,758–5,491 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately AUD 5,300–7,800 (USD 5,400–8,000; EUR 4,300–6,400. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. SPC remuneration is not subject to income tax in Kiribati for non-Kiribati nationals.

 

Benefits – SPC provides a housing allowance of AUD 1,000–2,000 per month. An establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, air fares, home leave, medical insurance and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependants. Employees are entitled to: 25 days annual leave and 30 days sick leave per annum; life insurance; and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary to which SPC adds a matching contribution).

 

Application procedure – The closing date for applications is Wednesday 3 October 2012. Candidates MUST provide: a detailed curriculum vitae; a written response stating their claims against the 8 key selection criteria; and contact details, including email addresses, for three referees.

 

Appointment – SPC is an equal opportunity employer. Staff appointments are based on merit, without restriction as to nationality. Preference is given to Pacific Islanders, given equal merit, qualifications and experience.

 

Apply online – Please use SPC’s online recruitment system at http://www.spc.int/job.html.

 

Important note: Prepare and save your curriculum vitae, response to key selection criteria and referee information as Microsoft Word documents BEFORE attempting to submit your application online. It is not possible to partially complete your application via the online system, save it and return to complete later.

Can’t access the online recruitment system? Apply via email: recruit@spc.int; fax: +687 26 38 18 or post: Sally Clark Herrmann, Recruitment and Staff Development Officer, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia.

 

Need assistance? Contact Sally in confidence, at sallyh@spc.int or telephone +687 26 01 40.